LAWMA SEALS 25 BUILDINGS, MOBIL FILLING STATION AS REFUSE TURNS ROAD MEDIANS INTO DUMPING GROUND

Lagos residents don hear another environmental warning as the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) don seal more than 25 buildings, including one Mobil filling station, along Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, over alleged environmental offences. The enforcement operation wey happen on Sunday, October 11, 2026, na part of the authority’s effort to stop indiscriminate waste disposal and restore cleanliness for the area. As officials carry out the exercise, the message be say Lagos no suppose turn to one big dustbin where everybody dey drop rubbish and waka comot as if nothing happen. But as LAWMA dey enforce environmental rules, residents still get questions about how waste collection services dey work for their communities.

LAWMA ENTER AGO PALACE WAY AS MORE THAN 25 BUILDINGS FACE SEALING

The operation, wey LAWMA Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, lead, involve compactor trucks, tipper trucks, payloader and street sweepers to remove accumulated refuse from road medians and areas around bridge supports. According to reports, some of the affected premises allegedly get illegal stalls for road setbacks or accommodate street traders whose activities contribute to littering and improper waste disposal. The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, popularly known as Taskforce, and the Kick Against Indiscipline team also support the exercise. Na serious environmental matter be this, because when rubbish begin occupy public roads, everybody for the area fit eventually pay the price through blocked movement and dirty surroundings.

The operation also lead to the arrest of some cart pushers suspected of illegal dumping. One of them, identified as Shamusi Muritala, reportedly tell officials say he dey collect up to ₦5,000 from customers to dispose of their waste. The report say he admitted dumping refuse on road medians and appealed for leniency when officials questioned am. For Lagos, where people dey hustle every day to make ends meet, this development raise one important question: if somebody collect money to carry rubbish away, who go check whether the rubbish reach the correct disposal point? Because if refuse leave one person’s compound only to land for road median, the environment still lose the battle.

CLEAN LAGOS CAMPAIGN MEET LAWMA WASTE COLLECTION CONCERNS

LAWMA say the operation no be only about sealing premises and arresting suspected offenders; officials also use the opportunity to educate residents and traders on proper waste disposal. The authority warn against illegal street trading and patronising traders operating in prohibited locations, noting that such activities fit obstruct movement, affect public order and worsen environmental degradation. The agency don make environmental enforcement part of its wider responsibility, and its official information highlights the use of enforcement measures against improper waste disposal.

However, the matter get another side wey authorities and residents need to address together. Reports say residents around Ago Palace Way don previously complain about overflowing refuse and delays in waste evacuation, even as some people claim say dem dey pay for collection services. This means say, apart from warning people against illegal dumping, effective waste collection must also remain a priority. If residents follow the rules but collection services no work as expected, frustration fit grow; if collection services dey available but people still dump rubbish anywhere, the environment go continue to suffer. The solution therefore require responsible residents, reliable waste collectors and consistent enforcement—not only big trucks appearing when the rubbish don already become public embarrassment.

As the Lagos Waste Management Authority continues its effort to tackle illegal dumping, the sealing of more than 25 buildings and a Mobil filling station serves as another warning that environmental regulations are not meant to decorate government offices. Residents, traders and business owners must use approved waste disposal channels, while authorities must continue to address waste collection challenges and monitor cleared locations. Whether this latest operation go bring lasting improvement for Ago Palace Way na something wey people go need to watch closely. Make una stay with OGM News Pidgin for further updates as the Lagos environmental sanitation matter dey unfold.